Page 14 of Britain

“I had something delivered to your home. It’s a gift, and I don’t want to hear any shit.” I hate when he pays for everything, but when I try to, he throws an alpha temper tantrum.

“Okay, I’m looking now.” I see a white box on my bed with that familiar logo on it. “You seriously didn’t buy me a MacBook?”

“I did. Before you say anything, let me just say this: Computers and then designing apps are my passion. I know you love working on the cars, but you should at least try and live your passion. You want to write, so write. Don’t wait, because before too long time passes you by. You don’t want to regret not pursuing your dreams.”

I drag my fingers across the top of the smooth box. “Thank you,” I whisper, because this gift means so much to me. I’d never splurge on something this expensive, but only because I’m cheap and in major saving mode.

“You’re welcome. I’m getting ready to meet my boys for dinner, but we’ll talk later.” He disconnects before I can say anything, and I look at my phone wondering what the hell happened. He’s told me about Jeremiah and Stefan, but I haven’t met them.

A knock sounds at my door, and Keith pokes his head in. “Hey, brat. You want to shoot some hoops with me?” It’s code for “I want to talk to you.”

“Yeah, sure.” I follow him upstairs and out the back door.

He grabs the ball and begins to dribble it. It’s amazing how much he looks like dad, Marcus looks like mom, and unfortunately, I look like the woman who carried me. When I was a little girl, I used to preen and pose when people would stop us and tell me how beautiful I was and how I looked just like my mom. That was until the day I learned the truth about what she did with that beauty, and what it cost me.

I focus back on my brother. “Bring it on, grandpa,” I taunt and come at him, stealing the ball away. He hates when I call him that, so of course I do it more. I dribble out and shoot, nailing that three-pointer.

Keith takes the ball and dribbles around me before doing a layup. “Tell me about rich boy. Is he your boyfriend?”

Ahhh…I knew it was a matter of time before he asked about Silas.

I shrug, because honestly I don’t know, and I don’t know if I even want that. “He’s my friend, and he’s a boy. Well not really a boy, but whatever. We’re just talking.”

“Do you…uh…know about sex, and stuff.”

I put my hands over my ears. “Oh my god! I’m not talking about this with you,” I squeal—yes, squeal. “Of course I know. I’m twenty-four; I haven’t been living under a rock. Before you ask, it’s not your business if I have or haven’t done it.”

“Oh god, I don’t want to know that shit. Fuck me, why did I bring this up? Oh yeah, because my darling wife asked me to pump you for information. She’s pregnant, and I can’t say no to anything right now.” He freezes, as do I.

“Beth’s having a baby?” Keith flashes me a huge smile, and I run at him, jumping into his arms. “Oh my god, this is the best news ever!”

“Thanks. Just don’t say anything yet. She’s not very far along and doesn’t want to tell anyone yet.” Between the girls Beth had a miscarriage and it was really hard on her.

“What are you going to do if it’s another girl?” He sets me down on my feet.

“I just want the baby to be healthy, but I really, really want a boy.”

We move and sit on the picnic table in their backyard. Keith was twelve when I was born and Marcus was ten, but they never made me feel like I wasn’t their sister. Even though my mom wasn’t the friendliest toward them, they still were good to me. After everything happened and Sheila and Dad got back together, both Keith and Marcus became my protectors.

“I really like Silas, but I’m scared.”

Keith wraps an arm around my shoulders, hugging me into his side. “It’s okay to be scared. I’d be concerned if you weren’t. I know I’ve been a firm believer in you never dating, but in all seriousness, I just want you to be happy. You deserve to find someone that loves you like I love Beth, and like Dad loves Mom. You’ve got a lot of love to give, and it would be a fucking shame if you didn’t get to share that with someone.”

My eyes burn, but I blink rapidly until the feeling goes away. I lay my head on his shoulder.

“Sweetheart, don’t let fear control you. Promise me, as much as I hate it, you’ll give it a shot.”

“Okay, but if he thinks I’m ever gonna wear a goddamn dress, he better check himself before he wrecks himself.”

Keith chuckles. “You tell him, Ice Cube.” We head to the back door, but he stops me. “Beth says he bought you a MacBook. Is he trying to be all Christian Black with you?”

I can’t help it and start laughing, long and hard. “It’s Christian Grey, you dork, and no. I just mentioned to him that I always wanted to write a book. This must be his way of pushing me to start.”

“Hmmm…I don’t like it, but I love you, you little shit.” He kisses the top of my head.

I wrap my arms around his middle, squeezing him tightly. “I love you too.”

Down in my apartment, I set the box on my little table and open it. Inside, there’s a card with my name on it.

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